Lawrence Damilola
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed SB 1047 today, a bill aimed at regulating large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) models, after facing strong opposition from Silicon Valley.
The legislation, known as the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, was intended to introduce some of the first state regulations on AI, including mandatory safety testing for large-scale AI models.
Newsom expressed concerns that the bill would stifle innovation while failing to address the real risks posed by AI technology. “Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions — so long as a large system deploys it,” Newsom stated. “I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology.”
SB 1047 reportedly targeted AI systems costing more than $100 million to develop and required companies to implement safety measures such as a “kill switch” for their AI models. This AI regulation bill also allowed the state attorney general to take legal action against developers if their models posed ongoing threats, such as an AI grid takeover.
Tech companies, including OpenAI and Google, were vocal in their opposition to the bill, claiming it would hinder the development of AI technology. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others aligned with these tech firms, arguing the legislation would impede AI progress.
Neil Chilson, head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, warned that although the bill focused on high-cost models, its scope could be expanded to include smaller developers as well.
Veto of AI Regulation Bill is a Setback for AI Safety – Proponents
State Senator Scott Weiner, who authored the bill, criticized the veto, describing it as a setback for public safety. “This is a setback for everyone who believes in oversight of massive corporations that are making critical decisions that affect the public’s safety, welfare, and the planet’s future,” Weiner said. The bill’s supporters argued that AI systems with the potential to cause harm need more oversight to prevent possible risks.
On August 26, billionaire Elon Musk, who is working on his own AI model, Grok, voiced support for the bill. Musk noted that while supporting the legislation was a “tough decision,” California should “probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill.”
Newsom Promises Continued Focus on AI Regulation
Newsom stated that his administration had already signed 18 other bills related to AI in recent weeks. He also emphasized that the focus should be on developing science-based regulations for AI. Newsom added that he had consulted with leading AI safety experts and would continue efforts to ensure effective oversight of the technology.
Read More
- Meta Unveils AI Video Dubbing, Lip-Syncing, Image-Editing Across Platforms
- OpenAI Proposes Large-Scale Data Centers to Support AI Development
- Researchers Successfully Bypass Google’s reCAPTCHA v2 Using AI
Lawrence does not hold any crypto asset. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
